Fluid content indicator for cigarette lighters



Aug. 5, 1952 H. LEWIS FLUID CONTENT INDICATOR FOR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS Filed 'July 24, 1950 INVENTOR. may LEWIS;

Patented Aug.

FLUID CONTENT INDI ATQEFOR; CIGARETTE Lian-TEES 'Harold Lewis, Indianapolis, Ina. AnplicationJuly'z l, 1950, Serial No. 1 755 4 11 Claims.

A major objection to the conventional type of liquid-fuel cigarette lighter, which iscoming more and more widely into use, is the fact that, as the supply of fuel in thereservoir approaches exhaustion, no change in'the operation of the lighter occurs; but suddenly, and without previous warning, the lighter refuses to operate because the supply of fuel is completely exhausted. It is the primary object of the present invention to provide indicator means which will show to the user of such a lighter the fact that the supply of fuel is nearing exhaustion, so that the reservoir may be refilled before failure of the lighter for lack of fuel.

A further object of the invention is' toprovide means which maybe built into a conventional lighter and which will thus indicate approaching exhaustion of the fuel supply;

A further object of the'invention is to provide an auxiliary case, readily assemblable with a, conventional lighter, and carrying an indicator device constructed in accordance'with my invention.

A still further object of the invention is toprovide a simple, very inexpensiveindicator'device which can be sold to owners of conventional light ers at a minimum cost; and which, when substituted for a standar'd'part of such a conventional lighter, will serve the indicating function.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above'and re lated objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated anddescribe'd', so long as the scope of the appended. claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged, fragmental' sectional'view of the reservoir portion of a conventional cigarette lighter having associated therewith an indicator constructed in accordance'with thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a'section, drawn to the'scale' of Fig. 1, and showing the internal construction of the indicator unit illustrated in Fig; 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, to the scale of Fig. 1, of a conventional lighter with the indicator unit of Fig. 1 associated therewith. and showing the condition of the indicator when dry;

Fig. 4- is a similar View; butsuggesting'the appearance of the indicator unit when the fuel sup- 55 plug may be manipulated. According to the preply of the lighter is adequate;

e 2 V Fig. 5 is'asimilar view suggesting the appearance ofthe iridicatingunit-when the fuel supply is approaching. exhaustion; and should be replaced;

5 Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a conventional lighter modified by the incorporation therein of a different form-of indicator unit constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. '7 is a similar view, partially in section, to

10 illustrate the novel features of the assembly; and

Fig. 8' is a similar view of a conventional lighter having associatedtherewith a still further form of indicator unit shown in section, parts of the conventional lighter being broken away for clar- 15 ity of illustration.

A well known form ofcigarette lighter comprises a housing defining a chamber, the chamber being filled with an absorbent body such as a mass of cotton. A- wick, having a portion of its length embedded inthe absorbent body, is led to a point of cooperative association with a sparking device carried on' thehousingoutside the chamber. Through the liquid-exchange relation between the absorbent body and the wick, the exposed portion of the wick is kept saturated with liquid fuel which ignites when a spark is thrown against the wick by the sparking device.

While I have shown but one form of this type of lighter, numerous forms are known, all embodying the features and operating upon the theory as above-described; and my invention is readily applicable to any known form of this type of lighter.

Thus, I have shown a lighter indicated generally by the reference numeral Ill and comprisinga; housingallf suitably' stufied with anabsorbent' body [2,. an internally threaded'filling opening [3' being formed in the bottom wall It of the housing. Inthe illustrated form of lighter,

40 a.tube .l5 extends from a further port in the bottom wall M to a' point near a sparking wheel (not shown) and pyrophoric fiints are adapted to be held, in the tube 15 by spring. means (not shown) in cooperative relation withthe said wheel. ln -the form of lighter chose for illustration, mechanical means It" isprovided for turning the 'wheel' against the flint to throw sparks against the exposed end of a wick I! the major portion of whoselength' is embedded in' the body Conventionally, the filling opening I3 is closed,

by a plug (not shown) having an externally threaded shank; adaptedto be seatedin the opening [3; and a knurled or kerfed head whereby the ferred form of the present invention, an indicator unit, indicated generally by the reference numeral I8, is substituted for such conventional plug.

The unit I 8 comprises a threaded shank I9 proportioned and designed for liquid-tight reception in the opening I3, and a knurled head 20, whose diameter is substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the bottom wall I4 of the housing I I. It will be understood that Figs. 1 to 5 are drawn to an enlarged scale, Figs. 6 to 8 being approximately full size.

A passage 2I extends axially through the unit I8, its outer end being enlarged to define an outwardly-opening pocket 22 whose diameter will be as large as may be conveniently possible. As shown, the diameter of the pocket 22 is substantially equal to the diameter of the shank IS. A mass of material of characteristics later to be described, indicated generally by the reference numeral 23, is disposed in the pocket 22 and is retained therein by a transparent closure plug 24 suitably permanently secured in the outer end of the pocket 22, the mass of material 23 being visible, through the plug 24, from the outer end of the unit I8.

A reduced extension 25 of the pocket 22 will preferably be substantially filled with cotton 28 or other similar material, forming a support for a part of the mass 23. A wick 26 is disposed in the passage 2 I, having one end in liquid-exchange relation with the mass 23, the other end of said wick projecting beyond the inner end of the passage 2|. A pin 27 transversely penetrates the wick 26 adjacent its first-named end, and rests upon the floor of the extension 25 to retain the wick against movement, axially of the passage 2 I, away from the mass 23.

It will be seen that cotton 28, or the like, acts to enlarge the area of liquid-exchange relation between the wick 26 and the mass 23.

The mass 23 will be material characterized by the fact that it is capable of receiving and holding liquid fuel in interstitial spaces thereof; by the fact that its affinity for the fuel is less than that of the absorbent body I2; and by the fact that its appearance, when wet, differs from its appearance when approaching dryness. I prefer to use, for the mass 23, a colored material whose shade changes, between a wet condition and a dry condition, and in which some change in shade is noticeable as the mass approaches dryness.

Many materials are useful in the present invention, having the above characteristics in greater or lesser degrees. My original experiments were made with colored blotting paper which operates reasonably satisfactorily to perform the intended function of the invention; but I have found that most of the blotting papers with which I have experimented do not attain the shade of substantial dryness until the fuel in the body I2 is so nearly exhausted that lighter failure may occur before the shade change in the indicator is noticed by the user.

I have experimented, also, with various pulverous materials, and, as a general rule, find that almost any pulverous material, which is insoluble and chemically unchanged by contact with liquid fuels, will operate somewhat more satisfactorily than blotting paper, or the like. Some such pulverous materials are characterized by the fact that their individual particles tend to absorb liquid fuel. Such materials, while they give up their moisture to the wick somewhat more readily than blotting paper or the like, still do not begin to change their appearance, as the fuel supply nears exhaustion, early enough to perform their function to my satisfaction.

Therefore, I prefer to use a pulverous, discrete material characterized by the fact that its individual particles are completely impervous to liquid fuels, by which I mean that the particles do not themselves absorb any of the liquid, but the mass being capable of receiving and retaining, within its interstitial spaces, liquid fuel carried thereto by the wick 26. One such material which I consider to be optimum is a finely ground molded plastic, such as acrylic resin, or vinylite, though these plastics are mentioned illustratively rather than limitatively. While water-white plastic can be used and will change its appearance between a moist condition and approaching dryness, I prefer a colored plastic in a comparatively light shade, such as pink, light blue, light green and the like, because I find that the change in shade between a moist condition and a dry condition is more readily apparent when such colored plastic is used. In one embodiment of my invention which I have used and tested, I mixed ground red acrylic resin with ground white acrylic resin in substantially equal proportions to produce a pink mass which, when holding a substantially saturated quantity of water-white liquid fuel in its interstitial spaces, appears to be dark red and which, as it approaches dryness, attains a mottled appearance having spots which are such a light pink as to appear almost white.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 suggest these three different appearances of the indicating mass, Fig. 3 suggesting the uniform, light pink appearance of the dry mass, Fig. 4 indicating the dark red appearance of the saturated mass, and Fig. 5 indicating the mottled appearance which the mass assumes as it approaches dryness.

In use, the unit I8 will be substituted for the conventional filler plug (not shown) ordinarily supplied with a lighter of the type illustrated. As the unit I8 is entered in the filling opening I 3, by screwing its shank I9 thereinto, the wick 2G embeds itself in the absorbent body I2 within the chamber defined by the housing walls, thereby assuming a liquid-exchange relation with such body. The outer end of the wick being held in liquid-exchange relation with the mass 23, a liquid-exchange relation is thus established between the body I2 and the mass 23. Preferably, a sealing gasket 29 will be sleeved on the shank I9 to establish a liquid seal between the head 20 of the unit I8 and the bottom Wall I4 of the lighter housing.

If, at the time of so seating the unit I8, the body I2 is substantially saturated, the appearance of the indicator mass 23 will rather rapidly change from that suggestedin Fig. 3 to that suggested in Fig. 4, by liquid transfer from the body I2 through the wick 26, to the mass 23.

.As the lighter is used, liquid fuel absorbed in the body I 2 is drawn through the wick I I and is gradually exhausted at the exposed end of that wick. When the supply of fuel approaches exhaustion, but a considerable time before such complete exhaustion as will cause the lighter to fail to operate, the indicator mass 23 begins to develop the mottled appearance suggested in Fig. 5; thus drawing the users attention to the fact that the lighter should be refilled at the earliest opportunity.

Refilling, of course, is effected by withdrawing the unit I8 from the opening I3, and introducing further liquid fuel to the body I2 through that opening. line-secure retaining means, comprising the pin 2'! in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is important in order that the wick 23 may not be pulled away from its liquid-exchange relation with the, mass 23 as the wick is withdrawn from the body I 2.

The body 52 having been'thusv re-saturated with liquid fuel. when the unit It is reintroduced: into the position illustrated; in Fig. l, the indicator mass will again assume the appearance suggested in Fig. 4. v

The indicator device thus far described is intended for separate, or independent sale toowners of conventional lighters, through retail outlets such as drug stores,.,te.ncent stores. and. the like. The purchaserof such a unit merely removes the conventional filler plug from his lighter, discards it, andisubstitutes the unit I8.

In Figs. 6 and. 7 I have illustrated a modified embodiment ofmy invention intended for ori inal inclusion in the lighter structure by the lighter manufacturer. In this form of the invention, the bottom of the housing II is formed to provide an open mouth 3! with which is permanently assembled an indicator unit 32 whose vertical walls (or some portion thereof) may be made of molded, transparent plastic, as indicated at 33. The upper end of the unit 32 is open and is telescopically assembled with the mouth 3i of the housing ll, the unit 32 enclosing a body [2 of absorbent material contiguous with, or in liquid-exchange contact with, the body l2 in the housing H. The wick l1 may preferably continue into embedded relation in the body [2.

A mass of-material 34, analogous to the. material 23', will be located against the inner surface of the transparent wall 33 (or the transparent portion thereof) and such massv will preferably be discrete, pulverous material, held in place by the body I2 and, of course, in liquid-exchange relation therewith. I presently believe that, alternatively, the mass 34 may comprise such pulverous material mixed with a binder and applied to the inner surface of the transparent wall as a coating.

The lower end of the unit 32 may be closed by a wall 35 penetrated by the usual plug filler opening and the usual plug opening for the flint tube I5.

If desired; a patch 36 may .be applied to the wall 33, the patch 36 being colored to correspond to the appearance of the mass 34 when that mass is dry, or'substantially so, in order that the user may have a' reference area to compare with the current appearance of the mass to assist him in determining whether or not the lighter should be refilled. Of course, optionally the surface 30 of the head 23 of the unit H3, or some portion thereof, may be similarly colored.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 will, of course, be analogous to that described above. As the mass I2 approaches such dryness as will prevent satisfactory opera tion of the lighter, the mass 34 will change its appearance to call the user's attention to the need for refueling.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a further embodiment of my invention comprising an extension unit 43 for removable association with a conventional lighter It, the vertical walls l4 (or some portion thereof) of the unit will be made of transparent molded plastic, and the inner surface of the transparent wall will be abutted by an indicator mass analogous to the mass 34. Penetrating the end walls of the unit 40, and journalled for rotationwi'threspect thereto, is a tubular fitting 42 whose inner end is threaded, as .at14-3, for threaded reception in the filling opening 13 a. gasket, 44 preferably being sleeved on. said fitting.- The chamber within the fittin is stufized with cotton 45,;orthe like, and a wick has one ,endembeddedin; the body 45,, extends through a radial opening; 41,. in the fitting: 42 and thence axially throughthe, fittinsfi. andhas its oppositeendembedded ingthebody I2;

The entire unit: 40 will be secured to the lighterll by means of. the fitting 42, and it is proportioned and designed to merge withrthe lines of the? housing H, so-that, when in place, it appears to bean integral extension of said hous- 111g; i .1

I claim as my invention: 7 q l. For-,-use with a cigarette lighteror the like comprising a housing defining a chamber, absorbent material housed within said chamber, a sparkingv device, and. a-wick. in liquid-exchange contact with such absorbent material and having a portion disposed in cooperative associationwith said sparking device, the invention comprising means providing a physically-closed transparent window forminga part of'a wall ofsaid chamber, and amassof pulverous material located. with respect to said window, to be visible therethrough from outside said wall, the particles of 'suchpulverous materialbeing impervious to liquid fuel but said mass being capable of receiving and temporarily holding such a fuel in the interstitial spaces between such particles whereby the. appearance of such mass is changed betweena dry condition and a wet coiiditiomsuch mass being disposed in liquid exchange relation with such absorbent material.

2. The device'of claiinf '1. inwhich said firstname'dmeans' compresses element adapted to be. seated inan opening through a wall ofsaid housing, said element being formed to provide an outwardly-opening pocket and a passage leading from said pocket and opening-through the inner portion of said element into communication with said" chamberwlien said element is so seated, said mass of pulverous material. being, discrete and being confined in .said pocket, a transparent plug closing the outer end of sai'd' pocket, and a wick. contacting 'su'ch' mass,extending through said. passage,. and'projecting from the open inner portion thereof, for intimate contact. with such absorbent'mat'erial in thechamber. when said element is so seated;

3. An attachment for. cigarette lighters and the like of the type utilizinganabsorbent body for liquid. fuel retention; comprising an element having a transparent wall, a discrete mass of pulverous material carried by said element and visible through said transparent wall, the particles of such pulverous material being impervious to liquid fuel but said mass having the capacity of receiving and holding such a fuel in the interstitial spaces between such individual particles whereby the appearance of said mass is .changed between a wet condition and a dry condition, and means embodied in said element for physically attaching said element to a cigarette lighter or the like to establish a liquid-exchange relation between the absorbent body of such lighter and such mass of material carried by said element.

4. The attachment of claim 3 in which the affinity of said mass of pulverous material for such a fuel is less than that of such absorbent body.

5. For use with a cigarette lighter or the like comprising a housing defining a chamber, an absorbent body housed within said chamber, a sparking device, and a wick in liquid-exchange contact with said absorbent body and extending into cooperative relation with said sparking device, said housing being provided with an opening through a wallthereof leading to such absorbent body, the invention comprising a hollow element having a portion proportioned and designed for liquid-tight reception in such opening with its inner end in contact with such absorbent body and its outer end visible exteriorly of said housing, a mass of pulverous material retained in said hollow element in liquid-exchange relation with said absorbent body, such pulverous material having a capacity for receiving and retaining liquid fuel in the interstitial spaces between its particles, such capacity, however, being less than the capacity of a conventional lighter wick of the type herein referred to, and the appearance of said mass of pulverous material when wet difiering from itsappearance when dry, and a transparent window in the outer end of said element, said mass of pulverous material being visible through said window.

6. For use with a cigarette lighter or the like comprising a housing defining a chamber, an absorbent body housed within said chamber, a sparking device, and a wick in liquid-exchange contact with said absorbent body and extending into cooperative relation'with said sparking device, said housing being provided with a filling opening interiorly threaded and opening through a wall of said housing into the interior of said chamber, the invention comprising a hollow element having a portion exteriorly threaded for liquid-tight reception in the threaded filling opening of such a housing with its inner end disposed in said chamber and its outer end visible exteriorly of said housing, a mass of pulverous material retained in said hollow element adjacent the outer end thereof, and a transparent plug closing the outer end of said element to retain said mass, said mass being visible through said transparent plug, said pulverous material being in communication with such absorbent body when said element is so received, and having a capacity for receiving and retaining liquid fuel in the interstitial spaces between its particles, such capacity, however, being less than the capacity of a conventional lighter wick of the type herein referred to, and the appearance of said mass of pulverous material when Wet differing from its appearance when dry.

7. The device of claim 6 in which said element comprises a shank and an enlarged head, the threading being formed on said shank and said head being formed with an outwardly-opening pocket communicating with a bore extending through said shank, said mass of pulverous material being located in said pocket, and said transparent plug being seated and retained in the outer end of said pocket and bearing on said mass to retain the same.

8. The device of claim '7 including a wick having an end in liquid exchange relation with said mass, extending through said bore and projecting outwardly therebeyond, and establishing a capillary flow path between such absorbent body and said mass of pulverous material when said shank is threadedly seated in the filling opening of such a housing, said pocket having transverse dimensions at least as great as the diameter of said shank and being provided with an axiallyinwardly projecting extension having transverse dimensions less than such diameter, and a pin transversely penetrating said first-named wick end and sustained against the fioor of said pocket extension to retain said wick against movement axially of said bore away from said mass.

9. As an article of manufacture, an element comprising a threaded shank having an axiallyextending passage therethrough, a transparent closure for one end of said passage, a mass of pulverous material disposed within said passage near said closure and visible through said closure, and a body of liquid-absorbent material disposed in said passage, in liquid-exchange relation with said mass and extending to the opposite end of said passage, said mass being characterized by the fact that its color when Wet diifers from its color when dry.

10. The article of claim 9 in which said mass is made up of discrete particles individually impervious to liquid fuel but capable of receiving and retaining such fuel in the interstitial spaces between such particles.

11. The article of claim 9 in which said passage is tubular and said body of liquid-absorbent material is a wick extending substantially beyond said opposite end of said passage.

HAROLD LEWIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,454,872 Harris Nov. 30, 1948 2,521,181 Morse Sept. 5, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 936,162 France Feb. 16, 1948 

